How are shoe sizes measured around the world?
Shoe sizes worldwide use three main measurement systems. EU sizes (the Paris Point system) assign one size unit to 2/3 cm of foot length and use a single unisex scale. US and UK sizes derive from the Barleycorn system, where one size unit equals 1/3 inch of foot length — but the US applies separate men's and women's scales with different starting points, while UK sizes run on a single scale. The CM system (Mondopoint) records foot length directly in centimetres, bypassing all calibration differences. Because each system uses different units and offsets, the same physical foot produces different numbers in each system.
What is the difference between EU, US Men, and US Women shoe sizes?
For the same physical foot, the women's US number is typically 1.5 sizes higher than the men's number — a gap that arose because US sizing developed from two separate historical standards using different starting points on the Barleycorn scale. EU sizes avoid this by using one unisex scale (one size = 2/3 cm of foot length). UK sizes run approximately 0.5 sizes below the men's US equivalent. Example: EU 42 = US Men 8.5 = US Women 10 = UK 8 = 27 cm. When buying US-sized shoes, always confirm whether a listing uses the men's or women's scale.
How do I convert EU shoe size to US?
Use the converter above: select EU, enter your size, and read off the US Men or US Women equivalent. As a rough guide, EU − 33 ≈ US Men and EU − 31 ≈ US Women (e.g. EU 39 − 33 = US Men 6.5). These formulas are approximate — the lookup table used here reflects standard international charts and is more accurate for sizes at the extremes of the range.
How do I measure my foot size in centimetres?
Stand barefoot on a flat surface. Place a sheet of paper under your foot, trace the outline, and measure the distance from the heel to the tip of the longest toe. This measurement in centimetres is your CM shoe size (Mondopoint). For example, a 26.5 cm foot corresponds to EU 42 / US Men 8.5. Use the length converter if you need to convert your measurement between centimetres and inches.
Why do shoe sizes vary between brands?
There is no enforceable global standard for how a manufacturer shapes the inner last of a shoe. Nike, Adidas, and New Balance each use slightly different last moulds for the same nominal size. A Nike EU 42 may feel a half-size smaller than an Adidas EU 42. Conversion charts — including this one — reflect the international standard size correspondence, not any single brand's interpretation. Checking brand-specific size guides before buying is always recommended. Shoe size can also interact with body measurements you track with a BMI calculator or ideal weight calculator when fitting sports or medical footwear.
Should I size up or down when buying shoes online?
When a brand is noted as "runs small", order one half-size up from your measured size. "True to size" means the converted chart value should fit directly. If you are between sizes, size up for closed-toe shoes (to avoid toe pressure) and size down for open sandals (to prevent heel slippage). Always measure both feet — the larger foot is the one to size for.
What does CM shoe size mean and which countries use it?
CM shoe size (Mondopoint) simply equals the foot length in centimetres. It is the most unambiguous system because it measures the physical foot rather than the inner last. Japan uses CM sizes as the primary standard, and it is widely used in technical and medical footwear contexts worldwide. A CM of 27 corresponds to EU 42 / US Men 8.5 / UK 8.